Mentor Dr. Robert Wolf with Canine Companion in-the-making, Oz.

Did you know: Online Obsessions: Determining and Dealing with Digital Dependency (LIB-342); Thanatology: Death and Dying (PSY-300); Developmental Psychology (PSY- 211); Introduction to Counseling (PSY-331); or Research in Experimental Psychology (PSY-322) courses could satisfy your General Education elective/social sciences requirements, regardless of your area of study? Contact an academic advisor today to discover the ways these courses can fit into your degree program.

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Meet a Mentor: Robert Wolf, PhD

Guidance is the Hallmark

Whether it involves college students or his canine charges, guidance is the hallmark of Dr. Robert "Rob" Wolf's philosophy.

Wolf, who has mentored for Thomas Edison State College since 2009, also trains service dogs for Canine Companions for Independence (CCi), said he finds both endeavors extraordinarily rewarding.

"I enjoy being a mentor at TESC," Wolf noted. "I have been continually impressed with the support of the staff and administration, and how the College offers its mentors the flexibility to facilitate student learning on their own terms."

It's that flexibility that allows Wolf to use some innovative methods to create a "classroom" experience for his online students.

"I like taking my students on adventures – all virtual, of course. We go on safaris with Abercrombie and Kent; hot air ballooning in Park City, Utah; ice fishing on Lake Champlain, Vt.; for coffee at Café Tortoni in Buenos, Aires; for ice cream at Fenocchio's in Nice, France," he explained. "I have also created a three-story log cabin in the woods by a lake for our Student Lounge. These are just some of the 'virtual' ideas I have implemented to increase my students' level of communication and decrease their feelings of being disconnected from their classmates."

Wolf noted that in a traditional on-campus course, there are often no standard requirements for in-class participation.

“You could come to class every day for an entire semester and never get noticed – an online course it is quite different. Everyone must participate, every week, which actually helps students feel more connected than they do on campus. I find the forums to be one of the most important aspects of an online course."

Wolf's relationship with the College began online.

While doing an online search, Wolf found TESC and read its mission statement. "It was simple, direct and to the point," he noted. "I began to review the purpose and course offerings and thought it looked like an excellent school to be associated with."

Having taught at small public and private colleges and universities as well as large ones, on campus and/or online, since 1995, Wolf noted that TESC was a perfect fit. "For me, as an instructor, I need the freedom to be creative and imaginative; TESC is a school that I feel values that in its mentors."

The College offered him just another avenue for educational expression.

In fall 2014, Wolf expanded his role with the College when he was accepted to develop the course Online Obsessions: Determining and Dealing with Digital Dependency (LIB-342). He also mentors Thanatology: Death and Dying (PSY-300); Developmental Psychology (PSY- 211); Introduction to Counseling (PSY-331); and Research in Experimental Psychology (PSY-322).

Wolf has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology, both from The California Graduate Institute, Los Angeles, Calif., and a postdoctoral degree from the University of Utah, School of Medicine.

Wolf's other educational endeavor – training service dogs – is personal.

"We applied for a service dog for my son when he was six years old, and finally received one when he was eight," recalled Wolf, who noted that two years is the typical waiting time to receive a service dog. "After a few years of seeing the unbelievable bond that developed between these two, and exactly what this dog gave to my son, I thought how great it would be if I could give this same gift to another person. I contacted the organization and asked if I could train dogs for them."

CCi considered Wolf's request and agreed. "As soon as one was available, I received my first dog, Cord," he explained, and he has been training service dogs for the organization ever since. And, the answer to the obvious question is: yes, the day you have to turn them in, is one of the worst and best days of your life."

Wolf lives in Southern California, where he says he enjoys 12-month, 70 degree weather.

Having the flexibility to teach online allows him more time to spend with his family which comes in handy when you have seven children.

"I have a singleton, a set of twins and a set of quadruplets, and there are also identical twins in the quads. Luckily, I can finally tell them apart!" he said.

To learn more about Canine Companions for Independence visit www.cci.org.

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